Jang Dong-gun Excited About New Drama

Actor Jang Dong-gun is returning to primetime TV drama after a 12-year absence. He will appear in a weekend soap called "A Gentleman's Dignity," which is scheduled to air from Saturday night on SBS.

In the soap about the careers and love lives of urban professionals, he plays the role of an architect in his 40s who wants to remain single.

In a press release on Wednesday, the actor said he felt a little awkward upon returning to television some 10 years after his last appearance in MBC's hit drama "All About Eve." But now he is enjoying filming the soap and feels comfortable with the transition.

It is the first time for Jang to star alongside Kim Ha-neul. He said the two quickly built a strong rapport both on screen and off.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

'City Hunter' Couple Fall in Love Off-Camera

Life has imitated art for star couple Lee Min-ho (24) and Park Min-young (25), whose on-screen characters fell madly in love on the recently ended SBS drama "City Hunter" before the actors followed suit.

Their agencies confirmed on Tuesday that the pair started dating one month ago, after shooting wrapped up. They first met while filming the KBS drama, "I Am Sam," in 2007.

While Lee rose to stardom through his lead role in the KBS show "Boys Over Flowers" in 2009, Park caught the public eye the following year when she acted in "Sungkyunkwan Scandal," broadcast by KBS. She is now busy filming the drama "Glorious Jane," also by KBS. It will air in October.

source: Chosun Ilbo

Jang Geun Seok Plays Double Role in 'Love Rain'

Hallyu star Jang Geun Seok and director Yoon Seok Ho, who produced the drama "Winter Sonata," have decided to work together. PR agency Y Tree Media said on August 9 that Jang Geun Seok has been cast as the protagonist of director Yoon Seok Ho's new work entitled "Love Rain" (working title), which will begin airing from the first half of next year.

Writer Oh Soo Yeon and director Yoon Seok Ho, who worked together in the popular dramas "Autumn in My Heart" and "Winter Sonata" ten years ago, will work together again for the drama production. The agency revealed that the drama will be about love transcending the ages both in the 1970s and in the present time. Jang Geun Seok will play the double role of the character Seo In Ha, a sentimental artist who loves only one woman in the 1970s, and Seo In Ha’s son named Seo Joon, a photographer who is freewheeling in his work and love. “Love Rain” will begin filming from next month with a target air date of the first half of next year.

source: KBS Global

Eric Makes Comeback to ‘Beautiful Spy’

Actor Eric will make a comeback after a three-year break with his appearance in KBS 2TV’s new Monday and Tuesday drama “Beautiful Spy (written by Kim Eun Young and Kim Jeong Ah, directed by Hwang In Hyuk).” Actress Han Ye Seul will play the female protagonist in the drama by playing a beautiful North Korean spy named Myung Wol. “Beautiful Spy” will tell the story of a comic romance that happens when a beautiful North Korean spy meets Hallyu star actor Kang Woo in South Korea.

Eric fulfilled his military obligation as a public service worker right after he finished filming the drama “Chilwu, the Mighty” in 2008 and originally planned to make a comeback by appearing in the drama “Poseidon,” but the production of “Poseidon” was canceled. “Beautiful Spy” will be his first drama after making a comeback, and he will present melodrama and action acting in the drama. “Beautiful Spy” will air its first episode on July 4 as a follow-up drama to “Babyfaced Beauty.”

source: KBS Global

Jung Woo-sung Returns to TV with New Hit Drama

SBS TV drama "Athena: Goddess of War," a kind of sequel to spy action soap "Iris," got off to a great start, with the first two episodes aired on Monday and Tuesday last week surpassing 25 percent viewer ratings. The show is Jung Woo-sung's first TV drama in 15 years.

Did he feel under pressure to build on the big success of "Iris?" "Now I can think beyond that, but I was extremely nervous until the first episode aired," he admits. Why did he decide to return to the TV screen after 15 years of absence? "Many fans said they would like to see me on TV as well. There was also a strategic side, because TV drama can help propel my career outside of Korea and earn a greater fan base overseas. I'd been looking for a suitable soap for the last four years, and then I got a proposal from the 'Athena' crew, who are familiar with filmmaking."

Unlike the intelligence agents portrayed in "Iris," according to Jung, it might take some time for the viewers to get used to the new style of humorous and warm-hearted agent depicted in the character he plays.

How has he managed to maintain his heartthrob image since his debut in 1994? "Maybe I've been able to do it because I constantly thought that I need to find my own unique appeal. I never wanted to be like someone else."

source: Chosun Ilbo

Kim Hyun Joong to Appear in Cameo in ‘Dream High’

Singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong (24) will make a cameo appearance in the KBS 2TV drama “Dream High,” which will air from next January.

In the drama, which Bae Yong Joon and Park Jin Young co-produced, Kim Hyun Joong will play a star actor who is coming back to the country after conducting overseas activities.

Kim filmed the scene in which he met Bae Young Joon, who plays the chairman of the board of Kirin Art School, the best star training school, at the Incheon international airport on December 7. It was the first time that Kim Hyun Joong and Bae Yong Joon appeared in a scene together after Kim had transferred to Bae’s agency, Keyeast. The production company of “Dream High” said, “Bae Yong Joon monitored Kim’s acting and carefully provided advice about his acting. We had actually planned to film the scene without advance notice as we had worried that too many people might gather at the airport, but many fans were waiting at the airport from the early morning anyway and the entrance of the airport was almost blocked.”

“Dream High,” which will air its first episode on January 3, will portray the process of how students at Kirin Art School become world stars through constant challenges.

source: KBS Global

U-Know Yunho cast in upcoming action drama

Singer and actor U-Know Yunho [SM Entertainment]

Korean singer and actor Jung Yunho, whose singing name is U-Know Yunho, will be making a comeback to the small screen, this time with a role in an upcoming action series.

According to the show's producer on Tuesday, Yunho will be playing the role of Oh Yoon-jae, a special forces soldier for the National Maritime Police Academy in a new series tentatively titled "Poseidon."

He will be joining the actors Kim Kang-woo who will take on the role of Yunho's older brother and graduate of the police academy, actress Kim Ok-vin who is one of the female special forces soldier and boy band Shinhwa member Eric who will play Kim Sun-woo.

"Poseidon," Korea's first TV series about the daily struggles coast guards face, will be co-produced by Oh Sang-won and director Yoo Cheol-yong, whose works include dramas "All In" and "Heat," and is written by scenarist Cho Kyu-won of blockbuster hit series "IRIS".

The cast will soon start receiving special forces and rescue training.

Making his debut through the boy band TVXQ in 2004, U-Know Yunho branched out into acting with his role in MBC's "No Limit," playing a soccer player named Cha Bong-goon.

He is currently starring as one of the male leads for musical production "Goong" which opened in early September.

Reporter : Cho Bum-ja anju1015@
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

2PM Taecyeon cast in new KBS musical drama

2PM member Taecyeon [JYP Entertainment]

K-pop idol Taecyeon will be showing off his acting skills once again, this time as one of the male leads in KBS' musical TV series "Dream High," a much-anticipated collaboration between Korea's top entertainment firms JYP Entertainment (JYPE) and KEYEAST.

JYPE announced in a press release Tuesday that Taecyeon has been cast as Jin-kook in the upcoming show, a skilled dancer that has been kicked out of a school for performing arts but transferred back by request from the chairman of the school.

"I am really excited and have high expectations for this new production. I have greater anticipation for this drama since it deals with music and I get to work with a lot of great people," Taecyeon was quoted as saying.

Just yesterday, the show's promoter revealed that Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has been cast as another one of the male leads, taking on the role of Song Sam-dong. Other cast members have not been confirmed yet.

"Dream High," also produced jointly with cable unit CJ Media, is about the dreams of students who attend a performing arts school with the storyline set to be relayed through song and dance.

Bae Yong-joon, KEYEAST's major shareholder, and Park Jin-young, founder and CEO of JYPE, will help in the production and musical arrangements for the show.

The musical drama, a 16-episode mini-series, is set to show on Mondays and Tuesday starting January 3 next year.

Making his debut in the six-member boy band 2PM, Taecyeon made his acting debut with a role in hit KBS2 TV series "Sister of Cinderella" alongside Moon Geun-young in June this year.

He is currently promoting the title track "I'll Be Back" from their latest mini-album "Still 2:00PM" with his fellow bandmates.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Wedding photos revealed from "Marry Me, Mary"

Korean actress Moon Geun-young and Jang Keun-suk for KBS' "Marry Me, Mary" [Ytree Media]

Wedding photographs from upcoming KBS TV series "Marry Me, Mary," starring Korean stars Moon Geun-young and Jang Keun-suk, have been revealed.

The show's promoter Ytree media on Friday released several pictures of the main character Mary (Moon) donning a short white wedding gown with a pink sash and Moo-kyul (Jang) wearing a black tuxedo.

Earlier this week, Ytree unveiled a picture of Mary in her wedding attire placed between Moo-kyul and Jung-in (played by Kim Jae-wook).

"I thought Mary (Moon) looked very pretty today (laugh) and I thought I looked pretty good as well. I had so much fun on set and I hope the audience will enjoy watching the show," Jang was quoted as saying.

Based on the online comic by famed writer Won Soo-yeon, "Marry Me" is about Mary who makes realizations about love and herself while being in two fake marriages for 100 days to completely different men -- Moo-kyul and Jung-in.

"Marry Me, Mary" will premiere on November 8 after current drama "SungKyunKwan Scandal," starring Park Yuchun finishes its run.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Kim Tae-hee, Song Seung-hun to star in new drama

Korean actress Kim Tae-hee (left) and actor Song Seung-hun (right) [Namoo/Storm S]

Top Korean stars Kim Tae-hee and Song Seung-hun have been cast in a new drama by the creator of popular MBC TV series "Pasta."

The show's producer Curtain Call said Wednesday that Kim and Song will star in an upcoming show tentatively titled "My Princess" by director Kwon Suk-jang.

"My Princess," a love story between a regular female college student and a conglomerate, is set to premiere on MBC early next year.

Kim will be playing the role of a college student whereas Song will take on the role of a conglomerate.

Kim rose to fame after appearing in the SBS TV series "Stairway to Heaven" in 2003 alongside Hallyu stars Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Ji-woo and has since starred in several dramas and movies.

Her most notable roles were in last year's blockbuster hit drama "IRIS" opposite Lee Byung-hun.

Song is one of the most popular stars in the Asian region for his roles in smash-hit series "Autumn Tale," "Summer Scent" and "East of Eden."

He recently starred in "The Invincibles," a Korean remake of the Hong Kong classic "A Better Tomorrow," with Joo Jin-mo, Kim Kang-woo and Jo Han-sun.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Jang Keun-suk to play Indie rocker in new drama

Korean actor and singer Jang Keun-suk [Tree J.Company]

Korean actor and singer Jang Keun-suk has signed on for a role in an upcoming KBS drama, according to his agency Tree J. Company on Friday.

Tree J. announced in a press release that he will be playing the role of an Indie rocker in the series, based on the web-based cartoon by writer Won Soo-yeon, tentatively titled "Mary is Staying Out Overnight.

Won Soo-yeon is the writer of the comic series "Full House" whose small screen adaptation in 2004 starred top Korean star Rain and actress Song Hye-kyo.

"Mary" is about a girl named Jung-in who has never been in a romantic relationship and instead has two fake marriages with two separate guys, a perfectionist and a leader singer of a band, with completely different personalities.

"I feel more pressured choosing a project that involves singing. It makes me wonder if I have a set image as an actor who only plays musicians in dramas," Jang was quoted as saying, adding that he enjoyed reading the synopsis for "Mary."

"I feel like I am making a return and as an actor I get the most joy in starring in a new drama," Jang continued to explain. "I am putting everything into 'Mary' and hope to show the audience something new."

"Mary is Staying Out Overnight" will premiere in the country in November.

Jang, 23, rose to fame with his roles in MBC's sitcom "Nonstop 4" (2003) and "Beethoven Virus" (2008). He became a household throughout Asia last year through his role of the eccentric lead singer in the hit SBS' series "Minamishineyo."

He recently wrapped up his Asia tour in Korea last weekend, which kicked off six months ago, where he met with numerous fans in Taiwan, Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka and Hong Kong.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Kim Hyun-joong "Naughty Kiss" to air in Japan starting Dec

Official poster for MBC TV series "Naughty Kiss" [MBC]

SS501 member Kim Hyun-joong starrer "Naughty Kiss" will air in Japan starting December, according to the show's producer on Tuesday.

Park Rae-hyun, in charge of the PR & Promotions team at production company Group 8, told 10Asia over the phone that cable music channel Mnet Japan will broadcast the TV series twice a week in about three months time although additional details have yet to be set.

Park also added that several other countries in Asia are "actively showing interest" in the drama which has been garnering much hype since its casting stages due to its heartthrob male lead.

Kim, already famous as the leader of his popular five-man band and at the height of his career after starring in last year's hit drama "Boys Over Flowers," will play the role of Baek Sung-jo, the all-around Mr. Perfect-type character who ends up falling in love with a girl always getting into trouble, to be played by actress Jung So-min.

Famed director Hwang In-roi will helm the show based on Japanese comic series "Itazura na Kiss," which sold over 27 million copies in Japan and has been made into animation in Japan and a top-rated television drama in Taiwan.

Hwang, who previously directed "Goong" (MBC, 2006) and "The Return of Iljimae" (MBC, 2009), will team with noted television writer Go Eun-nim for the small screen adaptation of the comic.

The romantic comedy will premiere on public network MBC starting September.
Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

On-set photos of upcoming TV series "Domangja s1" revealed

Korean actress Lee Na-young shoots a scene for upcoming TV series "Domangja s1" at the Port of Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan [Domangja s1]

On-set photos of Korean actors Daniel Henney and Lee Na-young from their Japan shoot for upcoming blockbuster TV series "Domangja s1" have been revealed.

In the photos released by the show's producers on Thursday, the two actors recently shot a scene for the romantic comedy-intelligence drama at the Port of Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan.

Playing the role of a mysterious woman named Jin-yi, actress Lee is seen wearing a simple, white cruise stewardess uniform while Henney is clad in a sophisticated semi-casual outfit as a shipping tycoon who falls in love with Lee's character.

"Domangja s1," about a hefty sum of money popping up sixty years after it disappeared in times of the Korean War, boasts a star-studded cast led by Korean entertainer Rain and including Lee Jung-jin, Kong Hyung-jin, veteran Japanese actor Takenaka Naoto, J-pop singer Uehara Takako and Hong Kong star Eric Tsang.

The series will be directed by noted television producer Kwak Jung-hwan and written by Chun Sung-il, the creative duo behind the hit TV series "The Slave Hunters" (KBS) earlier this year.

Filming will take place in various Asian cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Shanghai, Beijing, Macau and Hong Kong.

The shoot at the famous Japanese port attracted a huge group of local fans who gathered around to watch the Korean actors.

Lee, 31, first rose to stardom with TV series "Ruler of Your Own World" (MBC, 2002) and has since starred in several notable films such as "Please Teach Me English" (2003) and "Maundy Thursday" (2006) and "Someone Special," for which she won best actress at the 25th Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Henney, 30, was born in Michigan to a Korean-American mother and an American father of British descent. He made his debut in the Korean entertainment business as a model and gained fame appearing in television commercials alongside top Korean actresses Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Tae-hee.

He became a phenomenon around the country after appearing in the hit TV series "My Name Is Kim Sam Soon" (MBC, 2005) and made his Hollywood debut last year in the Hugh Jackman action pic "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." He also scored his first gig on a U.S. television drama "Three Rivers" (CBS), which was cancelled after eight episodes due to low ratings.

"Domangja s1" will premiere in Korea around late September.

Korean-American actor Daniel Henney shoots a scene for upcoming TV series "Domangja s1" in Yokohama, Japan [Domangja s1]

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Kim HyunJoong "Mischievous Kiss" First Filming Photos Released

source: allkpop
related news : Kim Hyun Joong to Play Handsome Genius Boy

Kim Hyun Joong to Play Handsome Genius Boy

SS501 member Kim Hyun Joong has been cast as the male lead in the “MBC drama Mischievous Kiss" (written by Ko Eun Nim, directed by Hwang In Roi and Kim Do Hyung), which will begin airing from September.

According to a spokesperson for his agency Keyeast on July 16, Kim Hyun Joong will play the male lead named Paek Seung Jo in the drama. The character he will play is a handsome genius boy who can learn anything one hundred times faster than others.

In the original Japanese comic book, the name of the character was Arie Naoki.

Production director Hwang In Roi revealed reason why he cast Kim Hyun Joong for the role by saying, “Kim Hyun Joong has an appearance that looks like he just came out of the romance comics and he also has purity in his mind, so he is very suitable for the character Paek Seung Jo.”

The drama “Mischievous Kiss“ is based on the original Japanese comic book which has been very popular in Japan, selling more than 27 million copies. The original comic book has been evaluated as the best romance comic book ever along with another Japanese comic book, “Boys Over Flowers.”

The story is about a genius but cynical male lead who has an IQ of 200. He meets an impatient troublemaking female lead and they fall in love.

The original comic book was already made as a drama in Taiwan with star actor Cheng Yuan Chang as the male lead, so the drama has gained huge popularity not only in Taiwan, but also in Korea and Japan.

The Korean version of the drama will be produced by the production company Group Eight, which made the drama “Boys Over Flowers,” along with star production director Hwang In Roi, who made popular dramas such as “Nymph Of Shampoo,””What Women Live By,” and “Princess Hours,” and star writer Ko Eun Nim, who has written famous scripts for the movie “Bungee Jump Of Their Own” and the TV dramas “Rebirth – NEXT” and “Soul,” so the big production team has drawn attention.

New actress Jung So Min has been cast as the female lead Oh Ha Ni (Aikara Kotoko in the original), who loves Paek Seung Jo in the drama. Oh Ha Ni does not have an interest in studying, but she has positive personality and loves Peak Seung Jo.

The drama “Mischievous Kiss” will begin filming in July and will air its first episode on September 1 as the follow-up drama to MBC’s “Road No.1.”

source: KBS Global

Lee Seung-gi, Shin Min-ah to play couple in new TV series

Korean singer and actor Lee Seung-gi will be romancing actress Shin Min-ah in a new SBS TV series tentatively titled "My Girlfriend is Gumiho," according to the show's PR firm IM Company on Wednesday.

IM announced in a press release that Lee and Shin have been cast as the male and female lead for the upcoming drama, where Lee will play an unlucky guy named Cha Dae-woong who falls in love with a nine-tailed fox, or 'Gumiho,' to be played by Shin.

Lee and Shin garnered much attention after photos of the two taken on set surfaced on the Internet.

"They seem to create a lively atmosphere on the set even with their [Lee and Shin] busy schedules," explained a staff member on the show, adding that the two spend their free time going over their lines and asking the crew for advice.

"Gumiho," written by sisters Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran who previously wrote hit dramas "Minamishineyo" (SBS, 2009) and "Hong Gil-dong" (KBS, 2008), is a fantasy love story between Cha Dae-woong and Gumiho, who was unleashed by Cha after being imprisoned for 500 years.

Meanwhile, girl band T-ara member Jiyeon will be making her acting debut in the series with a supporting role.

Lee, 23, made his debut as a singer after being discovered and trained by one of Korea's top female vocalists Lee Sun-hee. He rose to stardom with his first single "Because You're My Girl," which created a huge older female fan base.

The ballad singer crossed over into acting in 2005 with a role in MBC's sitcom "Nonstop 5" and "Famous Princesses" (KBS, 2006). He solidified himself as an actor with his role as Hwan Sun-woo in the hit series "Shining Inheritance" (SBS, 2009).

Shin, 27, has appeared in numerous movies and television dramas since her debut in 2001. Her most notable works include KBS' drama "A Love To Kill" (KBS, 2005) with Korean entertainer Rain and movie "A Bittersweet Life" (2005) and "The Naked Kitchen" (2009).

"Gumiho" will premiere on August 11 after "Bad Boy" finishes its run.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Daniel Henney hops aboard "Domangja" cast

Korean-American actor Daniel Henney [Apple Of The Eye]

Korean-American actor Daniel is the latest actor to be cast alongside Rain and Lee Na-young for upcoming TV series "Domangja s1," according to his agency Apple Of The Eye on Monday.

Apple Of The Eye announced in a press release that the actor will play the role of a shipping tycoon, who falls in love with Lee's character Jin-yi and tries to help her with his wealth and power.

"We are happy that Henney will be appearing in a high-quality drama that will be a collaboration between the best director and writer," an official at Apple was quoted as saying. "Daniel Henney is focusing on studying his character and is highly looking forward to meeting viewers on the small screen for the first time in a long while."

The series will be directed by noted television producer Kwak Jung-hwan and written by Chun Sung-il, the duo behind the recent hit TV series "The Slave Hunters" earlier this year.

Chun has revealed that he "had Henney in mind" since first creating the character, whom he described as having "a cold-blooded charisma underneath a warm smile."

So far, the A-list line-up for the romantic comedy-intelligence action drama includes multi-talented entertainer Rain, actress Lee Na-young and actor Lee Jung-jin.

Filming for "Domangja s1," about a hefty sum of money popping up sixty years after it disappeared in times of the Korean War, will take place in various Asian cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Shanghai, Beijing, Macau and Hong Kong.

Born in Michigan to a Korean-American mother and an American father of British descent, Henney made his debut in the Korean entertainment business as a model and gained fame appearing in television commercials alongside top Korean actresses Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Tae-hee.

With his good looks and mild personality, he became a phenomenon around the country after appearing in the smash hit drama "My Name Is Kim Sam Soon" in 2005. He had no Korean-speaking lines in the show.

Last year, he had a supporting role alongside top Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman in the action film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and scored his first gig on a U.S. television drama "Three Rivers" (CBS). Medical transplant drama "Rivers" was cancelled after the first eight episodes.

"Domangja s1" will premiere in Korea around late September.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Lee Jung-jin joins Rain, Lee Na-young for "Fugitive"

Korean actor Lee Jung-jin [Jambo Entertainment]

Korean actor Lee Jung-jin has joined Rain and Lee Na-young as the main cast of upcoming KBS TV series "The Fugitive," according to his agency Jambo Entertainment on Friday.

Jambo announced that the actor will be playing the role of Do-soo, an ambitious investigator who chases after Rain and Lee's character regarding a mysterious incident.

"Undoubtedly I am lucky to be getting to take part in the drama 'The Fugitive,'" the actor was quoted as saying. "I will make a very strong impression on the viewers who have high expectations."

Filming for "Fugitive," about a hefty sum of money popping up sixty years after it disappeared in times of the Korean War, will take place in various Asian cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Shanghai, Beijing, Macau and Hong Kong.

The series will be directed by noted television producer Kwak Jung-hwan and written by Chun Sung-il, who collaborated on the recent hit TV series "The Slave Hunters" earlier this year.

Lee, 32, made his debut in 1998 through popular sitcom "Soonpoong Clinic" (SBS, 1998) and has since starred in many television dramas and films including "9 End 2 Outs" (MBC, 2007), "Love Story in Harvard (SBS, 2004)" and "Mapado" (2005).

He is currently a regular cast member in the popular variety show segment "Qualification of a Man" on KBS2 TV's "Happy Sunday."

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan star@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Choi Si-won to join the cast of "IRIS" spin-off

Singer and actor Choi Si-won [SM Entertainment]

Super Junior member Choi Si-won will be joining the A-list cast of upcoming action TV series "Athena," the spin-off to last year's hit blockbuster drama "IRIS," according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Friday.

Taewon announced in a press release that Si-won will be gracing the small screen as Kim Joon-ho, a new recruit at intelligence agency NTS, who dreams of becoming a spy, in the show starring Korean stars Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Soo-ae and E Ji-ah.

Choi is currently receiving training for the action sequences although he is also promoting "BONAMANA," his boy band's fourth studio release.

Taewon plans on airing "Athena,” about terrorist acts and threats against the Korean Peninsula and the world, during the latter half of this year.

It will go into production starting in June in Italy and Switzerland and continue on into six other countries including Singapore and New Zealand.

Choi made his music debut in the 13-member boy band Super Junior, known as one of the most popular K-pop acts in the country and throughout Asia.

He made his acting debut in 2005 in the KBS TV series "Eighteen, Twenty-Nine" and action picture "A Battle of Wits." The pop idol recently played the role of Sung Min-woo in the SBS hit drama "Oh! My Lady" alongside Hallyu star Chae-lim.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Song Seung Hun to Star in Drama 'My Princess'

Actor Song Seung Hun’s agency Storm S Company announced on April 22 that Song Seung Hun has been cast in the drama “My Princess" (working title).

The drama is written by Kim Eun Sook, who has written famous drama scripts such as “Lovers in Paris,” “On Air,” and “City Hall,” and the producer and broadcasting company have not yet been decided. The agency said, “He will begin filming from August after finishing casting, and the drama will be filmed with the target date for airing in the second half of this year.”

Song Seung Hun revealed his mind, saying, “I am highly anticipating this drama because I might be able to show a different image from the tough and manly image that I have shown so far.” He appeared in the MBC TV drama “East of Eden” last year and is now working on the final stages of filming the movie “Outlaw.”
source: KBS Global